Sevilla kicked off 2026 with a disappointing 3-0 loss to Levante, a team struggling at the bottom of La Liga. Despite the presence of Alexis Sánchez for the entire match and the absence of Gabriel Suazo due to injury, Sevilla couldn’t find their footing against a Levante side that had been on an eight-game losing streak.
Sánchez, often referred to as “Wonder boy,” showed flashes of his talent in the first half at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium.He had a header saved by the goalkeeper in the 8th minute and was involved in what appeared to be an opening goal. However, Gerard Fernández’s strike in the 29th minute was disallowed due to a marginal offside call, a moment that could have shifted the game’s momentum.
Despite these moments, Sevilla struggled to establish control in the midfield, with play frequently disrupted by fouls. Just as it seemed the teams would head into halftime with a level score, Levante took the lead. Iker Losada scored after a neat one-two with Iván romero, leaving sevilla trailing.
Even after conceding, Sánchez continued to be a driving force for Sevilla in the second half, contributing to several offensive plays in the 48th and 51st minutes. The home team showed signs of mounting a comeback, creating chances that suggested they could equalize.
However,the equalizer never materialized for Matías Almeyda’s squad. In the 76th minute, Levante delivered a decisive blow. Carlos Álvarez made a strong run down the right flank, delivering a low cross that deflected off Jose Luis Morales and found Carlos Espí at the far post for a simple tap-in, making it 2-0.
In the closing stages, Sánchez came close to pulling one back with a header in the 84th minute. Shortly after, Sevilla was awarded a penalty. The responsibility fell to Isaac Romero, but his effort was saved twice by Levante’s goalkeeper, Mathew Ryan, extinguishing hopes of a late comeback.
Levante sealed their emphatic victory in stoppage time when Álvarez (90+4′) added a third goal. This result marks Sevilla’s second consecutive match without a win and leaves them stagnant in eleventh place in the league standings with twenty points.
Sevilla now has a full week to analyze their performance, address their shortcomings, and prepare for their next challenge against Celta de Vigo on Monday, January 12th. This defeat highlights the need for tactical adjustments and improved consistency as the season progresses.
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